Virtues of Fasting on month of Muhram

A Muslim is to be keen to get closer to Allah and draw nearer to Him all the time. Such keenness gains more weight and significance during blessed occasions and times. One of these occasions in which a Muslim should exert more effort and show more keenness is the month of Muharram.  

Indeed, the sacred month of Muharram is a blessed and important month. It is the first month of the Hijri calendar and is one of the four sacred months concerning which Allah says,(Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so it was ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein) (At-Tawbah 9: 36) 

Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Time has come back to its original state which it had when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth; the year is twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them are in succession: Dhul-Qa`da, Dhul-Hijja and Al-Muharram, and (the fourth being) Rajab Mudar (named after the tribe of Mudar as they used to respect this month) which stands between Jumad (ath-Thani) and Sha`ban."

It was reported that Ibn `Abbas said regarding the above verse that these four months were singled out and made sacred. Sins in these months are more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward.

Qatadah said concerning this phrase ( so wrong not yourselves therein) that wrongdoing during the sacred months is more serious and more sinful than wrongdoing at any other time. Wrongdoing at any time is a serious matter, but Allah gives more weight to whichever of His commands He will. Allah has chosen certain ones of His Creation. He has chosen from among the angels Messengers and from among mankind Messengers. He chose from among speech His remembrance or dhikr. He chose from among the earth the mosques, from among the months Ramadan and the sacred months, from among the days Friday and from among the nights laylat al-qadr, so venerate that which Allah has told us to venerate. People of understanding and wisdom venerate the things that Allah has told us to venerate. (Summarized from the Tafseer of Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him. Tafseer of Surat at-Tawbah, verse 36).
 
Muharram is called so because it is a sacred (muharram) month and to confirm its sanctity. Allah Almighty says, ( so wrong not yourselves therein), which means do not wrong yourselves in these sacred months, because sin in these months is worse than in other months.
 

 The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Fasting the day of `Ashura' (is of great merits), I hope that Allah will accept it as an expiation for (the sins committed in) the previous year” (Muslim).

Also, fasting the 9th of Muharram is highly recommended by the Sunnah. Imam At-Tirmidhi reported that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) used to say: We should fast on two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram to distinguish ourselves from the Jewish community. (At-Tirmidhi)

Explaining the virtue of fasting on the 9th and the 10th of Muharram, Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, former President of the Islamic Society of North America, states:

It is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him used to fast on the day of `Ashura'. When he came to Madinah, he found out that the Jews of Madinah were also fasting on this day remembering Prophet Musa (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) admired this tradition and said to the Jews, "I am closer to Musa than you are." He fasted and he also told his Companions to fast on this day.


Later, before the end of his life, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told Muslims to add the 9th day also. Thus, it is recommended to fast on both the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

Moreover, in his well-known book, Fiqh As-Sunnah, the late Sheikh Sayyed Sabiq states:

Abu Hurayrah reported: "I asked the Prophet: 'Which Prayer is the best after the obligatory Prayers?' He said: 'Prayer during the mid of the night.' I asked: 'Which fasting is the best after that of Ramadan?' He said, 'The month of Allah that you call Muharram’" (Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Dawud).


Mu`awiyyah ibn Abi Sufyan reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah say: "Concerning the day of `Ashura’, it is not obligatory upon you to fast on it as I do. Whoever wishes may fast and whoever does not wish to is not obliged to do so" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).


It is noteworthy that Muslim scholars have stated that fasting of `Ashura’ is of three levels as follows:


1. fasting for three days, i.e., on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of Muharram,


2. fasting the 9th and 10th of Muharram, and


3. fasting only the 10th of Muharram.

  Hadhrat Ali Radhi-Allâhu ‘anhu narrates that he was once sitting with Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam when a person asked, “O Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam! Besides the month of Ramadhân, in which month would you advise me to fast?” Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam replied, “If you wish to fast in any month after Ramadhân, then fast in the month of Muharram because this is Allâh’s month. It has a day in which Allâh Ta’âla had accepted the repentance of a nation and in which Allâh Ta’âla will accept the repentance of others also.” The nation whose Taubah (repentance) was accepted on a day in this month was the Bani Isrâ’eel. It was on the 10^th of Muharram (Âshura) that the Bani Isrâ’eel (the Jews) and Hadhrat Moosa Alayhis-Salâm were saved from Fir’aun and his army. 

Prophet Mohammad (SAW) said this 1400 yrs ago!

·        Camels will no longer be used as a means of transport;
  People will ride on saddles that aren't saddles (cars?)
  The distance on earth will become short;
  Horses will not be used in wars;
  Muslims will defeat the Byzantines which will end with the conquest of    Constantinople  

·        Istanbul);
  The Jews will gather again to live in Bilad Canaan;
Very tall buildings will be built;
  The disappearance of knowledge and the appearance of ignorance, with much killing;
Adultery will become widespread, and the drinking of wine will become common;
  The number of men will decrease and the number of women will increase until there are 50 women to be looked after by one man.
  Islam will become worn out like clothes are, until no one will know what fasting, prayer, charity and rituals are;
  Allah will send a disease to fornicators that will have no cure (Aids?);
People will begin to believe in the stars and reject AL QADAR (THE DIVINE DECREE OF DESTINY);
  Men will pass by people's graves and say: 'Would that I were in his place'; (large amount of sucidal deaths?)
  The Euphrates will uncover a mountain of gold for which people will fight over (the river of Alfurat that lies near Syria );
Two large groups of people will fight one another, and there will be many casualties; they will both be following the same religion World War II?);
   Approximately 30 DAJJALS will appear, each one claiming to be the messenger of ALLAH;
  Earthquakes will increase; 
  Time will pass quickly;
  Afflictions will appear;
  Killing will increase;
  Wealth will increase;
  Women will be wearing clothes but not wearing clothes

  THE PROPHET (saw) SAID: 'IF MY UMMAH BEARS 15 TRAITS (QUALITIES), TRIBULATION WILL FOLLOW IT.' (DAY OF JUDGEMENT) SOMEONE ASKED,'WHAT ARE THEY O MESSENGER OF ALLAH?' HE (saw) SAID:

 When any gain is shared out only among the rich, with no benefit to the poor;
  When a trust becomes a means of making profit;
  When paying ZAKKAT becomes a burden;
  When voices are raised in the mosque;
  When the leader of a people is the worst of them; when people treat a man with respect because what he may do;
* When much wine is drunk; red wind or the earth swallow them, or to be transformed into animals.'
'IMRAN IBN HUSAYN SAID: 'THE PROPHET (AS) SAID, 'SOME PEOPLE OF THIS UMMAH WILL BE SWALLOWED BY THE EARTH, TRANSFORMED INTO ANIMALS, AND SOME WILL BE BOMBARDED WITH STONES'. ONE OF THE MUSLIMS ASKED, WHEN WILL THAT BE O MESSENGER Of ALLAH?' HE SAID, 'WHEN SINGERS AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WILL BECOME POPULAR, AND MUCH
WINE IS DRUNK.'' THE GREATER SIGNS OF THE HOUR The Quran will disappear in one night, even from the people's hearts, and no Ayah will be left on earth. (Some groups of old people will be left who will say: 'We heard of fathers' saying 'LAILLAHA ILLA ALLAH' so we repeat it);  

 The appearance of the MAHDI;
The appearance of the DAJJAL (Anti Christ); * The appearance of Ya'juj and Ma'juj (biblical Gog and Magog);
Isa (Jesus) will come during the time of Dajjal;
  The rising of the sun from the west;
  The destruction of the Ka'ba and the recovery of its treasures;
The smoke.

ALLAH CREATES OUR WORLD AS IMAGES IN THE BRAIN

ALLAH CREATES OUR WORLD AS IMAGES IN THE BRAIN

Everything we see as matter in fact consists merely of photons for us. Photons are light particles with varying wavelengths. These waves reach us and turn into electrical signals when they strike the retina in our eyes. The electrical signals move along a predetermined path and eventually reach the visual center in the brain. And there they assume meaning in a quite amazing way: We are sure that what we see is really there, and that there really is a television or a skyscraper in front of us.

No matter how convincing the image of a skyscraper may be, what you perceive as matter in fact consists of nothing more than electrical signals. And the image forms in your brain, not in front of you. The real image of the skyscraper outside will never reach you. All you perceive, as electrical signals, is the light waves emitted from it. To put it another way, what you see is nothing more than light waves and electrical signals. For that reason, throughout your life you only experience an illusory image of a skyscraper, never the original of it. Despite being an illusion, however, it still has a perfectly clear and flawless appearance. It is very difficult for you to realize the fact that it consists only of electrical signals. The image is so perfectly created in the brain that it is almost impossible to distinguish it from the original. This is the immaculate artistry of our Almighty Lord.

A miracle is created every day, every moment in the human brain. Although only electrical signals reach the brain, and although the interior of the brain is pitch black and although this region is only a few square centimeters in size, all the mountains, seas, fields, the sky, endless wastes, houses, televisions, people, trees and in short everything we see are all in the brain. Everything there is colored. But there is no color in the brain. Everything there is light and bright, but there is no light in the brain, nor even outside it. Everything there is noisy and accompanied by sound, but the interior of the brain is completely silent. There is a depth to everything there; the stars seem very far away, while a pencil we hold in our hand seems very close. But in fact everything is on the same plane in our brains and at the same distance. The Sun seems to be thousands of kilometers away. But it is actually right next to us, inside our brains. The reason why the Sun exists in our brains is simply and solely electrical signals. A heavenly body we know to be thousands of kilometers across is actually created in a space of just a few square centimeters. And, to remind ourselves, it exists solely as an electrical signal, that we cannot hold in our hands nor even really know exists.

For that reason, the world we see is not the original of matter. We can never have direct experience of the original of matter on the outside. Our world is limited to what we are shown on the screens in our brains. Apart from that, we have no guarantee whether entities really exist or not, just as we have no guarantee whether the world created for us is the same as the real world on the outside.

The world we see is the world that Allah transmits to our souls. There is no matter in that world; no hardness, softness, scent or color. There are only electrical signals. Allah makes electrical signals the causes of the bright and colorful world He shows our souls. And it is the soul He created for human beings that perceives and interprets these images, rejoices, grieves, doubts, feels joy and longing, remembers, loves and feels excitement in that world

A lady who spoke only in aayats of Quran

The Lady who spoke only in ayats of the Qur’an A remarkable story

The undermentioned incident is narrated by Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu. He was a man of great learning and he lived in the era of the Abbasids. This incident reflects the love and attachment with the Noble Qur’an. It also Manifestates the comprehensiveness of the Noble Qur’an.

An elderly Arab lady was sitting at the trunk of a tree, on the way to Haj. Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu happened to pass that way. He was also heading for Baitullah, for Hajj, and to the Sacred tomb of the Noble Prophet (Sallallaahu alayhi Wasallam). Seeing this lady very disturbed and in a state of despair, (distressed) he spoke to her. The discussion is recorded as follows:

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah

The lady: “The word from a merciful Lord is Peace” (Surah 36 ayat 58). She meant that the reply of salaam is from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, Most High, Himself. She said further: “Those whom Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala sendeth astray, there is no guide for them.” (Surah 7 ayat 186). She meant that she has lost her way.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Where are you coming from?

The lady: “Glorified be He who carried His servant by night from the Musjid-e-Aqsa (invioble place of worship) to the Musjid-e-Haraam” (Far distant place of worship) (Surah 17 ayat 1). She meant that she had come from Musjid-e-Aqsa.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: How long are you in this place?

The lady: “For three nights” (Surah 19 ayat 10).

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: What arrangements are made for your food?

The lady: “And who (Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) feedeth me and watereth me” (Surah 26 ayat 79). She meant that somehow or the other, her food is provided to her by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Is there any water for Wudhu?

The lady: “And ye find not water, then go to high clean soil and (make tayammum) rub your faces and hands.” (therewith) (Surah 4 ayat 43). She meant that she makes tayammum, due to not finding water.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Here is some food. Partake of it.

The lady: “Strictly observe the fast till nightfall” (Surah 2 ayat 187). She indicated that she is fasting.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: This is not the month of Ramadaan.


The lady: “And he who does good of his own accord (for him) lo! Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is responsive, aware”. (Surah 2 ayat158) meaning that I have observed an optional (nafl) fast.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: It is permitted to break the fast when in a journey.

The lady: “And that ye fast is better for you, if you did but know.” (Surah 2 ayat 184)


Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Speak like how I speak.

The lady: “He (man) uttereth no word but there is with him an observer ready” (Surah 50 ayat 18). She meant that since every word of a person is observed and recorded, she is taking precaution by speaking only in the words of the Noble Qur’an al kareem.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Which clan do you belong to?

The lady: “Follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge, lo! The hearing and the sight and heart of each of these it will be asked” (Surah 17 ayat36). She meant those things that you have no knowledge of, nor do they concern you, you are wasting your strength (senses) by enquiring about them.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Forgive me. I have certainly made a mistake.

The lady: “Have no fear this day. May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala forgive you” (Surah 12 ayat 92)

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Would you like to travel on my camel and meet your caravan?

The lady: “And whatsoever good ye do Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala knoweth it” (Surah 2 ayat 197). Meaning that if you will do this good deeds towards me, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will recompense you for it.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Well, then you may mount it. Saying this he made the camel to sit down.

The lady: “Tell the believing men (when confronted by women) to lower their gaze”. (Surah 24 ayat 30). Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu understood and (turned) looked away. While she was mounting, the camel jerked and her clothes got estrangled in the saddle (dorsers) and she proclaimed: “whatever of misfortune striketh you, it is what your hands have earned.” (Surah 42 ayat 30). In other words she was drawing Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak’s radi Allahu anhu attention towards this mishap.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu understood and he tied the legs of the camel and he straightened the straps of the saddle (or dorser). She applauded him for his proficiency and capability by saying “And we made Sulaiman alayhis 'salam to understand” (Surah 21 ayat 79). When the journey was about to begin, the lady recited the ayats which are read when undertaking a journey “Glorified be he who hath subdued these unto us, and we were not capable (of subduing them). And lo, unto our Lord we are returning.” (Surah 43 ayat 13). Hadrat Abdullh bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu held the bridle (or nose string) of the camel. He began to hum the (Huddi) famous Arabic song for travelling, and he started walking very fast.

The lady: “Be modest in thy bearing and subdue thy voice” (Surah 31 ayat 19). Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu understood. He began walking slower and he lowered his voice. The lady: “Recite of the Qur’an al kareem that which is easy for you.” She meant that instead of humming the Huddi, he should rather recite the Noble Qur’an al kareem.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu began reciting the Noble Qur’an al kareem.

The lady became very pleased and said “but none remember (accept advice) except men of understanding” (Surah 2 ayat 269).

After reciting the Noble Qur’an al kareem for a while, Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu asked (the lady if she had a husband) (if he was alive) “O Aunt, have have you a husband? (meaning is he living)

The lady: “O you who believe, ask not of things which if they were made known unto you, would trouble you” (Surah 5 ayat 101). She meant that no questions should be asked regarding this matter which indicated that her husband has most probably passed away. Finally they (caught up) met the caravan.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Do you have any son or relative (friend) in this caravan who has connection (contact) with you?

The lady: “Wealth and children are an ornament of life of the world” (Surah 18 ayat 46). She meant that her sons were with this caravan and he has provisions with him.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: What work are your sons doing for the caravan? (Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu’s object for asking was to make it easy for him to recognise her son).

The lady: “And landmarks, and by the star they find a way” (Surah 16 ayat 16). She meant that he is a guide for the caravan.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: Can you tell me their name?

The lady: “Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala chose Ibrahim alayhis 'salam as (for) a friend” (Surah 4 ayat 125). And Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'alaspoke directly unto Moosa alayhis 'salam” (Surah 19 ayat 12). By reciting these ayats the lady informed him that her sons names were Yahya, Ibrahim and Moosa.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu called out these names in the caravan and immediately three young people came forward.

The lady: (addressing her children) “Now send one of you with this your silver coin unto the city. And let him see what food is purest there and bring you a supply thereof” (Sura 18 ayat 19) In other words she instructed them to feed Hadrat Abdullah radi Allahu anhu.

When the food was brought, she told Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu: “Eat and drink at ease for that which ye sent on before you in the past days.” (Surah 69 ayat 24), and with this ayat she recited another ayat, the object of which was to convey (show) her gratefulness to him for his good conduct and courtesy. The ayat was: “Is the reward of goodness aught save goodness?” (Surah 55 ayat 60).

Their conversation terminated on this ayat. The lady’s son informed Hadrat Abdullah bin Mubarak radi Allahu anhu that his mother has been speaking in this manner, i.e. using only the ayats of the Noble Qur’an al kareem in her speech, for the last forty years.


MASHA ALLAH :-)

DON'T ONLY WORK HARD..."WORK SMART"

Many years ago in a small Indian village, 

A farmer had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to a village moneylender. 
The moneylender,
who was old and ugly,
fancied the farmer's beautiful daughter.
So he proposed a bargain.
He said he would forgo the farmer's debt if he could marry his daughter.
Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the proposal.
So the cunning money-lender suggested that they let providence decide the matter.
He told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty money bag.
Then the girl would have to pick one pebble from the bag
1) If she picked the black pebble,
she would become his wife and her father's debt would be forgiven.
2) If she picked the white pebble she need
not marry him and her father's
debt would still be forgiven.
3) But if she refused to pick a pebble,
her father would be thrown into jail
They were standing on a pebble strewn path in the farmer's field.
As they talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles.
As he picked them up,
the Sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag.
He then asked the girl to pick a pebble from the bag.
Now,
imagine that you were standing in the field.
What would you have done if you were the girl?
If you had to advise her,
what would you have told her?
Careful analysis would produce three possibilities:
1. The girl should refuse to take a pebble
2. The girl should show that there were two black pebbles in the bag and expose the money-lender as a cheat.
3. The girl should pick a black pebble and sacrifice herself in order to save her father from his debt and imprisonment.
Take a moment to ponder over the story.
The above story is used with the hope that it will make us appreciate the difference between lateral and logical thinking.
The girl's dilemma cannot be solved with traditional logical thinking.
Think of the consequences if she chooses the above logical answers.
What would you recommend to the Girl to do?
Well,
here is what she did....
The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble.
Without looking at it,
she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles.
Oh, how clumsy of me,'
she said.
'But never mind,
if you look into the bag for the one that is left,
you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.'
Since the remaining pebble is black,
it must be assumed that she had picked the white one.
And since the money-lender dared not admit his dishonesty,
the girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an extremely advantageous one.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
Most complex problems do have a solution.
It is only that we don't attempt to think.
Start your day with this thought provoking story and have a nice day.